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“Banking digitalisation is already here – The outlook of banking employees in the digitalisation era: Adaptation, Change Opportunity” was the title of the first social partner event in the Romanian Banking sector in Bucharest on 30 March 2017.

UNI’s Romanian affiliate FSAB organised the seminar in cooperation with the Council of Banking Employers of Romania. FSAB President Paraschiv Constantin highlighted the need for human interaction in times of digitalisation, especially in the banking business. This is supported by empirical evidence for the continuous demand for human advice on financial matters, as UNI Europa Finance President Michael Budolfsen stated in his presentation.

CEOs and HR directors of several multinational banks operating in Romania participated in the seminar. There was general agreement among participants about the willingness to shape the digital transformation together. UNI Europa Finance Policy Officer Claudia Saller emphasised that these joint efforts should also happen in the European Works Councils when it comes to concrete implementation at the company level.

The Romanian minister for consultation and social dialogue Gabriel Petrea gave an introductory speech about the government’s efforts to engage in a dialogue with social partners about digital services, digital education and increased training to ensure employability.

In the discussion, the need for financial - in addition to digital – education was also highlighted. However, at national level, Romania still finds itself in a difficult situation with a big part of the population living in rural areas, under the poverty threshold, and with limited or no access to online services.